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Pastoral juvenil y de jóvenes adultos: La naturaleza sinodal del ministerio de jóvenes adultos

En Christus vivit, el Papa Francisco escribe, “La pastoral juvenil sólo puede ser sinodal”. De hecho, este texto, escrito originalmente en lengua española pone aún más énfasis en la sinodalidad al compararlo con la versión en inglés que dice, “La pastoral juvenil tiene que ser sinodal” (206). ¿Qué quiere decir el Papa Francisco con el término “pastoral juvenil”? Y, ¿qué quiere decir con la expresión “sinodal”?

La “pastoral juvenil” en Christus Vivit

Para muchos entre nosotros, la “pastoral juvenil” se refiere al ministerio con adolescentes, es decir jóvenes que cursan la secundaria o la preparatoria (12-18 años de edad). El Sínodo sobre los Jóvenes, la Fe y el Discernimiento clasifica a un joven como una persona entre 16-30 años de edad, un grupo demográfico que anteriormente fuera clasificado por la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB) como “joven adulto” (16-39 años de edad).

Esta distinción es importante. Francisco no está sugiriendo que una pastoral con chicos de 14 o 15 años de edad [los de la adolescencia media] debiera de ser sinodal. Propongo el argumento que la naturaleza sinodal de una pastoral con las personas que cursen desde los últimos años de la adolescencia [o adolescencia tardía] hasta finalizar la década de los veinte años es lo que la distingue del tipo de pastoral que requieran los adolescentes.

La pastoral con jóvenes adultos en los Estados Unidos ha sufrido cuando las metodologías efectivas con adolescentes (por lo menos en ciertos contextos) también fueran aplicadas a ese grupo demográfico de mayor edad. Aunque los grupos quizás disten de unos pocos años nada más, están en muy diferentes etapas de desarrollo y viven contextos culturales diferentes.

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Dr. Bob Rice is an internationally known speaker, acclaimed musician, and innovative writer. He is Professor of Catechetics and the Director of the Masters of Arts in Catechetics and Evangelization at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has a PhD in Theology from Liverpool Hope University where he researched Catholic youth and evangelization. He is a highly sought after presenter at youth conferences, young-adult gatherings, men’s conferences, parish missions, and catechetical workshops. Bob has authored many books, articles, and award-winning scripts that have helped people come to a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith. Bob has recorded numerous CDs and leads worship for over ten thousand people every year, mostly through the Steubenville Adult and Youth Conferences. He is the host of EWTN’s Franciscan University Presents. Bob lives in Steubenville with his beautiful wife Jennifer and their seven adorable children. You can find out more about him at bob-rice.com. He is the author of the life of Christ novel, Between the Saivior and the Sea, written through St. Peter's eyes and the spiriutality book, A 40-Day Spiritual Workout for Catholics.

This article is from The Catechetical Review (Online Edition ISSN 2379-6324) and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of The Catechetical Review by contacting [email protected]

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Leadership & Catechist Formation

Youth Ministry

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6.1

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About Franciscan Catechetics

The Catechetics Degree Programs and the Catechetical Institute (CI) at Franciscan University of Steubenville work in concert to prepare clergy, religious and laity to join the “army of catechists” called for by St. John Paul II, eager to help the Church in her mission of making all nations joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. We combine a thorough formation in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterial documents with training in effective pedagogical techniques to help those we serve to grasp the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Father’s plan, and to bear witness to others faithfully of the wonderful life of grace in the Holy Spirit.

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